Vinyl pressings
by Dave Mason · 1972
Headkeeper was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 11 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
S BTS-34 5971-1A [Artisan logo]Side A runout variant 1
\ BTS-34 5972-1ASide B runout variant 1
S BTS-34 5971-1B [Artisan logo]Side A runout variant 2
\ BTS-34 5972-1B [Artisan logo]Side B runout variant 2
P BTS-34 5971 [Artisan logo]Runout side A, variant 1
BTS-34 5972 [Artisan logo]Runout side B, variant 1
BTS-34 5971 [Artisan logo]Runout side A, variant 2
P BTS-34 P 5972 [Artisan logo]Runout side B, variant 2
BTS-34 T1 5971-2 [Artisan Logo] A7Runout A, variant 1
BTS-34 T1 5972-2 [Artisan Logo] CRunout B, variant 1
BTS-34 T1 5971-1 [Artisan Logo] B5Runout A, variant 2
BTS-34 T1 5972-2 [Artisan Logo] 5BRunout B, variant 2
ILPS·9203 A-1U R I PORKY 1Side A, stamped/etched
ILPS 9203 B-1U A I 1Side B, stamped/etched
13043 . ALabel side A
13043 - BLabel side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Argentina | Blue Thumb Records MH 13043First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Brazil | Young 304.0029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Blue Thumb Records BTS 34First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | France | Blue Thumb Records BT 10002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Blue Thumb Records 87 824 ETFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | Blue Thumb Records ICL-505First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Mexico | Blue Thumb Records GX 01-576First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Blue Thumb Records BTS 34First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | South Africa | Blue Thumb Records BTSJ 34First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | Blue Thumb Records ILPS 9203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 34First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 34First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 34First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 34First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Argentina | Music Hall 13043LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-4052LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records BTS 34LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records BTS 34 / MCA Coral MCA-712LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Blue Thumb Records 87 824 ETLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 34 / ABC Records BTS 34LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Headkeeper are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1972 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Argentina, Brazil and more. One of them is Blue Thumb Records BTS 34.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BTS 34, ILPS 9203, MH 13043, 304.0029) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S BTS-34 5971-1A [Artisan logo] and \ BTS-34 5972-1A. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
